The commencement speaker this year is the Mr. Harvey Munford, an educator and member of the Nevada Legislature.

Munford spent 36 years in the Clark County, Nevada, School District. Also during this time he was an adjunct faculty member for UNLV in the ethnic studies department and an adjunct faculty member at the College of Southern Nevada in the social science department. He retired from teaching in 2004 and was elected to the Nevada Legislature where he is currently in his fourth consecutive term in office as a State Assemblyman.

Munford may be best known for his time spent as a Yellowjacket.  Recruited to MSUB by basketball coach Mike Harkins, Munford was the first African American to enroll on the campus and would later be the first African American to graduate from MSUB. Harvey not only excelled on the basketball court being named NAIA All American for two years, but he also focused in the classroom and graduated in 1965 with degrees in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. He later added a Masters in Counseling; and a minor in Political Science.

“Harvey has been recognized as one of our finest alumni because he represents what is best about our campus,” noted Chancellor Rolf Groseth.  “His significant talent on the hardwood has been surpassed by his career as an educator and lawmaker.  He is certainly a role model for our graduates and we are excited to hear his reflections and advice.”

Commencement will be followed by the traditional Graduates’ Reception at the University campus, 1500 University Drive. The reception will be held in Rimrock Café at the Student Union Building.

Meanwhile, convocation ceremonies will also take place this week for each of the academic colleges. Those events celebrate the success of the graduating students and also include special student awards from departments and divisions. 

Convocation for the City College at MSU Billings will be on Thursday, May 2 at 6 p.m. in the Health Sciences Building on the City College campus, with a welcome by Dean Dr. Marsha Riley and a reception to follow. The College of Technology will confer 303 degrees during the Commencement ceremony on Saturday. Faculty recognized for excellence in the classroom include Dr. Dave Gurchiek and Mr. Bruce Brumley.

Convocation for the MSU Billings College of Allied Health Professions will be on Friday, May 3, at 8:30 a.m., in Cisel Recital Hall, with a welcome by Dean Dr. Diane Duin and a reception to follow in Apsaruke Hall. The College of Allied Health Professions will confer 115 degrees during the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, including 39 master’s degrees. Faculty recognized for excellence in the classroom include Dr. Thomas Dell and Ms. Lynne Fitzgerald.

Convocation for the MSU Billings College of Business will be on Friday, May 3, at 11:00 a.m. in Cisel Recital Hall, with a welcome by Mr. Michael Campbell, interim dean of the College of Business. A reception will follow in McDonald Hall. The College of Business will confer 107 degrees during the Commencement ceremony on Saturday. Dr. Adrian Robertson was recognized for his excellence in the classroom.

Convocation for the MSU Billings College of Arts and Sciences will be on Friday, May 3, at 1 p.m., in Petro Theatre, with a welcome by Dean Dr. Tasneem Khaleel and a reception to follow in Rimrock Café at the Student Union Building. The College of Arts and Sciences will confer 302 degrees during the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, including 21 master’s degrees. Faculty recognized for excellence in the classroom include Ms. Melinda Tilton, Dr. Kurt Toenjes, Ms. Jaci Webb, Dr. Bernard, Quetchenbach, Ms. Sue Jones, and Ms. Shanna Fliegal.

Convocation for the MSU Billings College of Education will be on Friday, May 3, at 4 p.m., at Petro Theatre, with a welcome by Dean Dr. Mary Susan Fishbaugh. A reception will follow in Rimrock Café at the Student Union Building. The College of Education will confer 131 degrees during the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, including 69 master’s degrees. Faculty recognized for excellence in the classroom include Dr. Cindy Dell and Dr. Michael Scarlett.

For more information about the five MSU Billings convocations, or the commencement ceremony on May 4, call the University Relations Office at 657-2269 or see the university’s special event web page at www.msubillings.edu/commencement

PHOTOS ABOVE: April 28, 2012 commencement at MetraPark's Rimrock Auto Arena.